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MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air
    $5.99
    Buy
    • Before proceeding, power down your MacBook. Close the display and lay it on a soft surface, top-side down.

    • Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove ten screws securing the lower case, of the following lengths:

    • Two 9 mm screws

    • Eight 2.6 mm screws

  2. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.

    • Remove the lower case and set it aside.

  3. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • To ensure that everything is de-energized and won't turn on while you're working, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery.

    • Grab the clear plastic pull tab attached to the battery connector and pull it parallel to the board toward the front edge of the Air.

    • Do not lift upward on the connector as you disconnect it or you risk damage to the connector socket.

  4. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement, I/O Board Cable: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the I/O board cable connector up out of its socket on the I/O board.

  5. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Carefully peel the I/O board cable from the adhesive securing it to the top of the fan.

    • During reassembly, make sure this cable is in the correct orientation. It will fit if reversed, but the laptop will not boot.

  6. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • The following connector has an especially deep socket. Use care when disconnecting it.

    • While gently pulling the I/O board cable upward near its connection to the logic board, use the flat end of a spudger to pry up on alternating sides of the connector to help "walk" it out of its socket.

    • Remove the I/O board cable.

  7. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement, Fan: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the fan cable ZIF socket.

    • Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.

  8. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Peel the rubber gasket off the adhesive on the top of the fan.

  9. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case:

    • One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 2.7 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw with a short head

  10. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the fan from the I/O board side and pull it free from the upper case.

    • Removing the fan will also disconnect the fan ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it.

  11. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement, I/O Board: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • Disconnect the I/O board by pulling its power cable away from its socket on the logic board.

    • Pull the cable parallel to the face of the logic board toward the right edge of the Air.

  12. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the left speaker cable connector up and out of its socket on the I/O board.

    • Pry up from beneath the wires.

  13. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the microphone ribbon cable ZIF socket.

    • Make sure you are flipping up the retaining flap, not the socket itself.

  14. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the single 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw securing the I/O board to the upper case.

  15. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2
    • Gently de-route the camera cable from its notch on the I/O board and push it out of the way with the tip of a spudger.

  16. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013 I/O Board Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the I/O board from the logic board side and pull it free from the upper case.

    • Removing the I/O board will also disconnect the microphone ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

45 other people completed this guide.

8 Comments

How can I tell if its my I/O board that is damaged? I cannot hear sound from Aux port or from the speakers on my macbook. Laptop still charges fine though.

Ralphy Sierra - Reply

Check to see if your USB port on that side works. That was how I know mine was bad.

craig - Reply

Was easier than I thought to do.

craig - Reply

If light on magsafe doesn't turn on, is it safe to say the io board needs to be replaced?

Jon Lewin - Reply

Thumbs up Walter!

jlaramore - Reply

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